Bowflex SelectTech 552 Review: Still the Standard Adjustable Dumbbell

Fifteen pairs of dumbbells, one dial. That's still the pitch for the Bowflex SelectTech 552, and it's held up well enough that this remains the single most recommended adjustable dumbbell on the market.

At $429 to $449 for the pair, the 552 covers 5 to 52.5 lb per hand in 2.5 lb increments, turned with one dial motion that takes about three seconds once the dumbbell is seated in its tray.

That combination, a wide range, fine increments, and fast single-hand adjustment, is why it remains the standard comparison point every other adjustable dumbbell gets measured against, including the PowerBlock Elite EXP and NordicTrack Select-a-Weight.

Its real limitation is the ceiling. At 52.5 lb per hand, intermediate and advanced lifters doing heavy squats, lunges, or presses will eventually outgrow it, where PowerBlock's staged expansion kits offer more long-term headroom.

What You Are Buying

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is a pair of dial-adjustable dumbbells, 5 to 52.5 lb per hand, sold with molded plastic storage trays. The trays aren't optional in practice, since the dial mechanism relies on the dumbbell being seated correctly to lock in a weight setting.

The handle is a straight, knurled grip with a center-weighted balance point that stays consistent across weight settings, a meaningful difference from plate-and-collar dumbbells where balance shifts as plates are added.

Performance

Weight change speed: Roughly 3 seconds per dumbbell for an experienced user. Turn the dial fully to the marked number, lift straight up out of the tray. New users typically need a few sessions to build the habit of fully seating the dumbbell before turning.

Increment consistency: 2.5 lb steps hold across the entire 5 to 52.5 lb range, which matters for accessory movements like lateral raises and curls where a 5 lb jump can be too large a progression step.

Grip and balance: The handle stays centered and doesn't shift balance as weight is added, unlike plate-and-collar setups where added plates sit further from the grip at higher weights.

Noise: Some plate rattle is audible during fast reps, more than a fixed dumbbell but comparable to other dial systems in the category.

What It Does Well

The dial mechanism is genuinely fast once the tray-seating habit is established, and it stays that way for years, backed by the largest install base of any adjustable dumbbell and correspondingly wide availability of replacement dials and parts if something eventually wears out.

The 2.5 lb increment consistency across the full range is a real advantage for progressive overload on smaller accessory lifts, where PowerBlock and Core Home Fitness both use larger jumps at some points in their range.

What Falls Short

52.5 lb per hand is a real ceiling for intermediate to advanced lifters. Compound lower-body and heavy pressing work will outgrow this weight faster than accessory lifts will, and there's no official expansion kit the way PowerBlock offers.

The tray dependency adds real footprint to the setup. Unlike a plate-and-collar set that just needs a case, the 552 needs its tray nearby and level to change weights reliably.

Who Should Buy It

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is right if: you want the fastest, most proven adjustment mechanism in the category, your training tops out around 50 lb per hand, and you value long-term parts availability and resale value.

Consider alternatives if: you need more than 52.5 lb per hand (PowerBlock Elite EXP with expansion kits), you want the narrowest possible footprint (PowerBlock's block shape), or you're on a tighter budget (Core Home Fitness or Amazon Basics).

Check price on Amazon

See Also

• Bowflex SelectTech 552 vs PowerBlock Elite EXP, head-to-head comparison
• Best Adjustable Dumbbells for Home Gyms
• Adjustable Dumbbell Dial Getting Stuck, troubleshooting for dial systems